Salmonellosis
Public Health – Factsheet
What is salmonellosis?
Salmonella is a bacteria, or germ, commonly found in
the intestines (stomachs and bowels) of domestic and
wild animals. There are many different kinds of
Salmonella bacteria. A person infected with the
bacteria becomes ill with salmonellosis, which is
sometimes referred to as food poisoning.
What are the symptoms of
salmonellosis?
Symptoms can include stomach cramps, diarrhea,
fever, nausea and vomiting. Sometimes diarrhea can
be so severe that a person loses large amounts of
bodily fluids (electrolytes) and can become very ill. At
this point, the person should get medical help. The
elderly and the very young (infants) are most at risk of
developing a severe illness.
When do the symptoms start and how
long do they last?
Symptoms can start suddenly, anywhere within six to
72 hours after coming in contact with the germ. Most
people begin to feel sick 12 to 36 hours after being
infected. The illness usually lasts four to seven days
and most people get better without any treatment.
What causes salmonellosis?
Eating contaminated foods, such as raw meat, poultry
and eggs that have not been cooked properly, is the
most common cause of the illness. As well, raw
(unpasteurized) milk and raw milk products, and
contaminated water, can also contain the bacteria. You
can also become infected by touching the feces (poop)
of infected humans (especially infants with diarrhea)
and domestic or wild animals, without following up
with proper hand-washing.
How is salmonellosis spread?
Salmonella is usually spread by a contaminated
(tainted) food or other substance that goes in your
mouth. You can become exposed to Salmonella by:
• touching raw pet treats without following up with
proper hand-washing
• not washing fresh fruits and vegetables before
eating them
October 2012
• not thoroughly cleaning counters/work surfaces
used to prepare raw meat and other foods in the
kitchen
Food can also become contaminated by people who
handle food regularly (ex: cooks, grocery clerks, etc.),
if they don’t thoroughly wash their hands with soap
after handling raw meat or after using the bathroom.
The disease, salmonellosis, is more common in
summer than in winter.
What should you do if you think you
have salmonellosis?
If you think you have salmonellosis , you should see
your doctor for testing, advice and treatment.
How is salmonellosis diagnosed?
The diagnosis is confirmed when Salmonella bacteria
is found in a person’s stool (poop). Sometimes, it is
also found in the blood. A sample of the stool must be
sent to a lab, which uses special methods to grow and
positively identify the bacteria.
How is the infection treated?
Most people will recover without any treatment. Your
doctor will decide if treatment is necessary in your
particular case. People with salmonellosis should
drink plenty of clear fluids (ex: water, clear juices,
soups) to prevent dehydration caused by the diarrhea.
Resting and eating easily digested foods (such as
bananas, rice and crackers) will help recovery. The use
of over-the-counter medicine to stop diarrhea (ex:
Immodium) is not recommended.
How can I protect myself from
salmonellosis?
Here are some ways to reduce your chances of getting
salmonellosis:
• Wash your hands with soap and water before and
after:
– using the toilet
– changing diapers
– eating or preparing food
– handling animals (pets, farm animals or wild
animals)
 Salmonellosis

• Avoid eating beef, pork or poultry that has not
been thoroughly cooked.
• Avoid eating runny eggs.
• Avoid consuming raw or unpasteurized milk or
other raw milk products.
• Wash produce thoroughly before eating.
• Store and refrigerate food properly.
• Thoroughly clean work surfaces (ex: counters,
cutting boards) used to prepare raw meat and
other foods to prevent cross contamination.
• When travelling in underdeveloped countries,
you should avoid:
– raw foods that cannot be peeled
– cooked food that is not hot
– food from street vendors
If travelling where the water supply may be unsafe,
drink bottled water and avoid drinks with ice.
Consider Others
Don’t pass it on.
If I become infected, how can I avoid
giving salmonellosis to others?
If you become ill with salmonellosis, you should stop
working while you have diarrhea and vomiting. It is
recommended you don’t go back to work until 48
hours (two days) after your last diarrhea or vomiting
incident. This will give you a chance to recover, and
will reduce the risk of passing the infection on to
others.
All people with salmonellosis should wash their hands
more often. This is especially important after going to
the toilet and before handling food. It is important to
realize that you can make others sick.
Are there certain jobs where the
bacteria can be passed on more easily?
Yes. If you work in a job that involves food handling
or close contact with others (ex: kitchens or
restaurants, hospitals, daycares, personal care homes)
and you become ill with salmonellosis, it is especially
important that you stop working while you have
diarrhea and vomiting, and not go back to work until
48 hours (two days) after your last diarrhea or
vomiting incident.
What about daycare? If my child
becomes infected with salmonellosis,
can I send him/her anyway?
If your child has the illness, it is recommended that
he/she not go to daycare during this time. If this is not
possible, the child should be cared for in a separate
area of the daycare, until the diarrhea has stopped.
What else do I need to know?
Reptiles (ex: pet turtles, snakes, lizards) and
amphibians (ex: frogs, salamanders) can carry
Salmonella germs. Wash hands thoroughly with soap
and water immediately after handling these animals or
after contact with their environment/cages or food.
Young children should avoid handling these pets or
having contact with their environment or food. Infants
should be kept away from pet feeding areas.
Some pet treats that are made from other animals (ex:
pigs’ ears, frozen rodents) can also carry Salmonella
germs and have been known to cause illness in
humans. It is important to wash your hands
thoroughly after handling these kinds of pet treats.
Young children, the elderly, or people with weakened
immune systems (ex: those living with HIV or cancer,
transplant patients receiving immunosuppressive
drugs) should not touch pet treats that are made from
animal parts.

For more information

Talk to your doctor or other health care provider, your local public health unit or call Health Links-Info Santé at
204-788-8200 in Winnipeg; toll free 1-888-315-9257 outside Winnipeg.
Information is also available on the Manitoba Health website at
www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/protocol/salmonellosis.pdf